When to disclose Criminal Conviction during OCI? Forum

[Anonymous User]

1L at T6 here and I think it's about time to start worrying about the possible hindrance that my criminal conviction can have on future Big Law prospects. The conviction is "Participating in a Riot", and to clarify, I'm Canadian studying with a I-20 student visa and the conviction occurred in Canada. Already spoke with the state bar association, the conviction does not entail automatic disqualification.

I have been reading these forums a lot and I have seen interesting advices here ranging from "don't disclose during OCI, just disclose after they send the offer" to "disclose everything during OCI" and I just want to know what you guys think is probably the most prudent advice regarding to someone in my situation. Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

I dealt with this last year as a 1L so I know how you're feeling. And I'm not talking about petty bullshit like an underage drinking charge that these sheltered kids on here get all freaked out about for no reason. I didn't say shit about it through Spring OCI. When I got the offer I wanted, I accepted. Then when the recruiter called and started explaining the process; background check, paperwork, etc., I let them know so there weren't any surprises. When she mentioned the background check, I just said, "In the interest of full disclosure, I just wanted to let you know about.... This is what I've done about it.... And if you need any additional information, I'm more than happy to get you whatever you need." The recruiter was nice about it and ended up fast tracking my background check. I'm not gonna lie, it was a fairly stressful month or so after that. I communicated with them back and forth a couple times, and had to get them additional information. But in the end, everything worked out great and I had an awesome summer there. I also received an offer to return my 2L summer, which I was ecstatic about. It can be stressful dealing with these things from the past, but I've found that if you are open and honest, and have moved on with your life in a positive way, it usually all works out. Good luck.

MOST DEFINITELY DO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT DURING OCI, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO DO THAT.

[Anonymous User]

^ This is great advice, but I will give you my story as well. I had a serious charge from when I was younger that was CWOF > dismissed. No one could tell me if a background check would find it. I felt like I needed to disclose so they wouldn't be shocked if they found it.

I was fortunate to receive several offers around the same time at OCI. I went to my first choice and told them I would accept if they could tell me that it wouldn't be a problem. They ran a background check immediately to verify my story. Everything checked out and I accepted there for the summer. They specifically told me how much they appreciated me being up front and that it might have been a different story if they had found about it on their own. At the same time, if it had been a problem I still had my other offers open.

My two cents: don't say anything at OCI, get the offer and disclose before accepting.

[Anonymous User]

^This is also great advice, because things might be slightly different if you have multiple offers. I think the previous poster did the right thing in that situation. Let them know when you get the offer so things move quick and you can still accept a different offer if the first one doesn't work out.